Quick Reaction: Raptors 99, Trail Blazers 85

Toronto

Portland

B+	P. Siakam26 MIN, 6 PTS, 5 REB, 1 AST, 2 STL, 3-6 FG, 0-2 3FG, 0-0 FT, 1 BLK, 0 TO, 9 +/- Was active tonight on the glass and in transition. Looked like the fastest big man on the court for another night and while he wasn’t close on either of his three point attempts he still brought energy to the offence. Needs to be careful with diving for loose balls…he looked like a sliding quarterback on a few plays tonight and the last thing the Raptors need is another big man getting injured.
C+	N. Powell22 MIN, 8 PTS, 3 REB, 1 AST, 0 STL, 3-9 FG, 2-4 3FG, 0-0 FT, 2 BLK, 1 TO, 11 +/- The Norm saga continues. He was abysmal on offence, especially in the first half. He did make two of four three-pointers but looked lost with the ball in his hands. His defence, thankfully, was spectacular and he did as good a job as anyone guarding C.J. McCollum this season. Here’s hoping his offence picks up before his defence starts to slip or it may be time for a new face in the starting rotation.
A+	L. Nogueira30 MIN, 17 PTS, 8 REB, 2 AST, 2 STL, 7-8 FG, 1-1 3FG, 2-4 FT, 5 BLK, 2 TO, 13 +/- OH BEBE. Career high in points (15) and blocks (FIVE!) all while being a game-time decision. He only finished with two assists on the night…but believe me when I tell you his passing was spectacular. The entire team found him for lobs that no mortal man should have been finishing and he missed just one shot all night. He also made his only three-point attempt. Portland had no answer for him on offence or defence.
B+	K. Lowry34 MIN, 19 PTS, 10 REB, 6 AST, 1 STL, 6-14 FG, 3-6 3FG, 4-4 FT, 0 BLK, 2 TO, 12 +/- Lowry’s game looked a lot better than his stat line. The 6-14 shooting is troublesome given how his season has started but he still finished with a double double and was conscious of getting his teammates involved all night. Kept trying to get Powell going and had awesome chemistry with Nogueira. He still seems to be having trouble finishing at the rim (like the rest of the Raptors) but that will sort itself out.
A	D. DeRozan37 MIN, 25 PTS, 4 REB, 4 AST, 0 STL, 10-20 FG, 0-0 3FG, 5-7 FT, 0 BLK, 4 TO, 9 +/- 21 points and 4 assists in the first half on 9/11 shooting. He set the tone early for the Raps and kept them in it through a slow first quarter from the rest of the team. Toronto did a good job of hiding him on defence and he continued to make the extra pass when the situation called for it.
B+	O. Anunoby22 MIN, 4 PTS, 4 REB, 0 AST, 2 STL, 2-8 FG, 0-5 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 5 +/- His stats are hardly deserving of a B+ grade, but anyone who watched this from start to finish likely had their jaw on the floor at some of his athleticism. His sheer length was a problem for the Blazers on their offensive possessions and his ability to switch onto guards and stay in front of them was insane. He’s simply a step ahead of other rookies when it comes to knowing where to be on the floor. If his shot starts to drop…
B-	D. Wright22 MIN, 7 PTS, 5 REB, 2 AST, 2 STL, 2-9 FG, 1-3 3FG, 2-2 FT, 0 BLK, 0 TO, -2 +/- Take away Wright’s three-point shooting woes and he had another strong game. Unfortunately you can’t just take away the negatives and Wright looked brutal again from beyond the arc even if he did make one of three. His two misses weren’t close and his hesitation to shoot afterwards was apparent. He passed up a wide open shot to defer to DeRozan in the 4th that ended up in a steal for Portland. Keep shooting.
B	C. Miles18 MIN, 5 PTS, 2 REB, 0 AST, 1 STL, 2-5 FG, 1-3 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 2 +/- Miles wasn’t needed as much on offence thanks to how dominant the Raptors were on D tonight. He finished with a decent line and hit a three that helped boost his confidence.
B+	J. Poeltl18 MIN, 6 PTS, 5 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 3-5 FG, 0-0 3FG, 0-0 FT, 1 BLK, 0 TO, 1 +/- Strong in his limited run tonight with Siakam and Nogueira taking on the big man responsibilities. Still made incredibly smart decisions on the floor and is a serious threat in the pick and roll.
B	F. VanVleet9 MIN, 2 PTS, 1 REB, 1 AST, 0 STL, 1-2 FG, 0-0 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 6 +/- Came on to relieve Lowry and Wright in a few situations and did what he does best – taking care of the basketball. No turnovers and making the only shot you take is a nice way to earn some more trust from the coach.
A	Dwane Casey Maybe Casey’s best coached-game of the season. Managed the loss of Ibaka and JV for the night by riding his trio of young big men and stuck with Powell on defence in the second half. Still could help his players manage the clock a bit better when they have a league, but he had his players raring to go tonight.